Boring type miner with adjustable cutter chains



Oct. 2, 1956 N. E. EVANS ETAL 2,765,155

BORING TYPE MINER WITH ADJUSTABLE CUTTER CHAINS Filed Nov. 27, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS EMIL 1i HLlNSKY CHARLES T OGDEN NOLAN E, EVANS ATTORNEY Oct. 2, 1956 N. E. EVANS ET AL 2,765,155

BORING TYPE MINER WITH ADJUSTABLE CUTTER CHAINS Filed Nov. 27, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS EMIL J. HLINSKY CHARLES T OGDEN BY NOLAN E. EVANS I ATTO R N EY Oct. 1956 N. E. EVANS ET AL 5,

BORING TYPE MINER WITH ADJUSTABLE CUTTER CHAINS 7 Sheet .s-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 27, 1955 TLT 5920mmovEMaNT OF VALVE amas; 97 I06 98 RAnsE SPROCKET RAIsE qulos. IO] l 5H4 m: N was: 21%?" 97 79 184 187 I30 109 1 94 LowER quma CENTER OF PIN 6? LINE. OF Carranza oF Pms 6'2 AND 64 IN VEN TORS EMlL \J- HUNSKY CHARLES T. OGDEN BYNOLAN E. EVANS ATTORNEY Oct. 2, 1956 N. E. EVANS ET AL BORING TYPE MINER WITH ADJUSTABLE CUTTER CHAINS Filed Nov. 27, .1953

7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS EMIL. J. HI INSKY.

CHARLES T. OGDEN BYNOLAN E. EVANS ATTORNEY Oct 2, 1956 N. E. EVANS ET AL 2,765,155

BORING TYPE MINER WITH ADJUSTABLE CUTTER CHAINS Filed NOV. 27, 1953 v 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS EMIL u. HLINSKY CHARLES .T. OGDEN BYNOLAN E EVANS ATTORNEY Oct. 2, 1956 N. E EVANS ETAL BORING TYPE MINER WITH ADJUSTABLE CUTTER CHAINS Filed NOV. 27, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS HLINSKY EMIL J- CHARLES T. OGDEN BYNOLAN E. EVANS ATTORNEY 0d. 2, 195$ Ev s T AL 2,765,155

BORING TYPE MINER WITH ADJUSTABLE CUTTER CHAINS Filed Nov. 27, 1953,

7 Sheets-Sheet '7 EMu. J. HLINSKY CHARLES T. OGDEN YNOLAN E. EVANS ATTORNEY United States Patent O BORING TYPE MINER WITH ADJUSTABLE CUTTER CHAINS Nolan E. Evans, Chicago, Emil J. Hlinsky, La Grange Park, and Charles T. Ogden, Chicago, 111., assrgnors to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application November 27, 1953, Serial No. 394,706

13 Claims. (Cl. 262-7) This invention relates generally to continuous mining machines of the type having a plurality of boring heads arranged to cut contiguous overlapping bores, the general type being disclosed in McKinley Patent No. 1,603,261, and relates more particularly to improvements in mechanisms for controlling the position of the lower run of a cutter chain for cutting the bottom core left between such contiguous overlapping bores. The invention further relates to a novel construction for controlling the position of deflectors which are movable with the cutter chain sprockets and supports so that when the machine is in operation the cuttings are readily moved by a conveyor formed as a part of the machine.

It is desirable to provide means preventing the escape of cuttings from around the side of the machine, so that the cuttings may instead be conveyed away by conveyor means of the machine. However, previous attempts to have the cutter head support such deflecting means have made it diflicult to retract the machine from the room in which it operates, and moreover has made it difficult for the operator to perform adjustments on the cutter arms of the boring head or to inspect the condition of the cutter elements thereon when desired.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of sprockets mounted on the lower cutter chain guide, such sprockets being movable to positions so as to cut a wide bottom enabling timbering operations to be carried on alongside the machine, particularly during bad roof con ditions.

According to the present invention the sprockets mounted at each end of the lower guide for the cutter chain are arranged to move inwardly thereof for retraction of the machine when desired, and are also arranged to be moved in a sequential fashion with the lower guide for the cutter chain, such movement of the sprockets being attended with appropriate movement of a deflector plate or vane carried by the guide for the cutter chain.

As a further adjunct to the invention, all of the mechanism for moving the sprocket with respect to the chain lower guide and for raising and lowering the cutter chain lower guide is effected hydraulically, and all such mechanism is under the control of a single control valve which combined with automatic sequence operating valves require only a single operation by the machine operator.

With the foregoing considerations in mind it is a principal object of the invention to provide a construction for cutting a widened path of travel for a continuous miner, and to enable the means for cutting such widened path of travel to be retracted at will for ease of movement of the miner in confined places.

Another object is to provide a suitable mechanism enabling coal to be cut from a seam thereof in such a fashion as to provide ample space for timbering operations or the like at the sides of the machine.

Still another object comprehends the provision of deflecting vanes or the like which will insure at all times that the cuttings from the cutter chain and the boring heads will be moved forwardly of the machine, so that ice the gathering conveyor thereof can efiiciently remove all of the cuttings from. the operating end of the machine.

Other objects and important features of the invention will be apparentfrom a study of the specification following taken with the drawings, which together show a preferred embodiment of the invention and what is now considered the best mode of practicing the principles thereof.

Other embodiments of the invention may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein and it is therefore intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the precise embodiment herein shown, such other embodiments being intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a mining machine having embodied therein the improvements according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view thereof to an enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows, said view being taken to an enlarged scale, the parts thereof being symmetrical about the center line shown and showing schematically a control circuit for the cutter chain lower guide and sprocket;

Fig. 4 is a view looking in the direction of the arrows 44 of Fig. '3;

Fig. 5 is a top view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing the hydraulic control circuit actuated so as to lift the sprocket mounted on the lower cutter chain guide, the guide for the cutter chain remaining in the position shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to both Figs. 3 and 6, but showing the hydraulic control elements as having lifted both the cutter chain sprocket and the lower cutter chain guide; and

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Figs. 3, 6 and 7, but showing the sprocket extended preparatory to lowering the cutter chain guide and sprocket together into position.

Referring now particularly to Figs 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a mining machine indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. Such a machine is of the type which bores a pair of overlapping contiguous bores into a seam of coal or the like, and includes a main frame 11 mounted upon crawler treads 12, so as to propel the machine along a mine floor or the like. An auxiliary frame 13 is mounted on the main frame 11, and is arranged to be raised and lowered by pistons 14 of lifting cylinders 16 which are formed as part of a gear case 17. The auxiliary frame 13 may be tilted by means of cylinders 18.

The gear case 17 has extending therefrom spaced shafts 19, see Fig. 2, supporting boring arms 21 which are arranged to rotate in timed relationship in a manner as described in one or more applications of James S. Robbins, Serial Nos. 264,880, new Patent Number 2,705,624 and 387,441, filed January 4, 1952 and October 21, 1953 respectively, both owned by the assignee of the present invention, for Coal Mining Machine and Continuous Mining Machine, respectively. Each of the arms 21 has cutter elements 22 mounted thereon, and the length of each of the arms may be lengthened or shortened by a telescoping arrangement indicated at 23, in accordance with the thickness of the mine seam.

The cutting action of the arms 21 normally leaves an upper and lower cusp which are removed by means of an endless cutter chain 24 which is trained along an upper guide bar 26 and along a lower guide bar 27. The upper guide bar 26 is mounted to move up and down with piston members 28, and the lower guide bar 27 is likewise secured to spaced piston members 29, see Figs. 3 and 6, for

movement up and down. Piston members 28 thus move in cylinders 31 to raise and lower the upper cutter chain guide bar 26, and piston members 29 likewise move within cylinders 32 to raise and lower the lower guide bar 27. 7

The endless cutter chain 24 is driven by a sprocket-33 fast upon a shaft 34 extending in a forward direction from the gear 'case 17. The endless cutter chain Z'4'is guided around an idler sprocket 36 mounted at one end of the upper guide bar 26, across said guide bar 26 and around an idler sprocket 37 mounted at the other end of the upper guide bar 26. The cutter chain 24 is then guided around an idler shoe '39, see also Fig. 1, extending forwardly of the gear housing 17, and thence around a fixed shoe 41 disposed below the turning center of the left hand shaft 19, as seenin Fig. 2. The chain is thence further guided around idler sprockets 43 and lower chain guide bar 27, each being mounted rnovably with respect to the lower chain guide bar 27 and movable with respect thereto under conditions as will appear as this specification proceeds. The endless chain 24 is further 'gu'ided around a shoe, not shown, whence it 'is engaged by the driving sprocket 33. v

Referring again to Figs. 1 and 2, the machine includes conveyor 44 having a gathering end 46 extending beneath the gear housing 17 and between spaced deflector plates 43, 43, which serve to guide material fragmented by the boring arms 21 and the cutter chain 24 onto the gathering end 46 of the conveyor 44. As seen in Fig. 1, the

conveyor 44 is arranged to be raised and lowered about a'horizontal axis 'HA by means of lifting cylinders 49, see Fig. 1. The conveyor 44 also includes a discharge boom section 51 which is swingable about a vertical axis VA by means of swing cylinders 52. As seen in Fig. 2 particularly, the endless conveyor 44 is of the chain flight type and is trained around a drive sprocket 54 driven by means of a hydraulic motor 53 mounted on the discharge boom section 51.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, there is shown somewhat schematically the right hand side of the cutter bar 27 and the right hand sprocket 43 as seen in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is taken on a plane as shown in Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows 33, and is taken behind the cutter arms -2l's'een-in Fig. 2.

As will appear in more detail 'asthis specification proceeds, the sprockets 43 are arranged to swivel with respect to the lower guide bar 27 into positions flankingthe machine 19 so as 'to cut a wide path upo'nthe mine floor for the machine. These sprockets are also movable with deflecting vanes which operate-to shove th e rna'teri al forwardly to be gathered at the-gathering end'46of the-flight conveyor 44. w 7

To this end, and as seen in Fig. 3, the 'sprocket'43 is arranged to be supported on a belllc'rank'56 pivot'ed at 57 at the, end'of the lower guide bar'27 for the cutter chain 24. The sprocket 43 is arranged to turn on a stub shaft 58 positioned at the juncture of the arinsof thebellcrank 56. A stop finger 55 extending from the bell crank 56 engages thetend of the lower guide bar '27 to limit rho'vei'nent of the sprocket 43 in a'clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 3.

A'short link 61 is pivotally connected at 62 to one of the arms of the bell crank remote from its-pivotal'connection 57 to the lower guide bar 27, and said link 61 is also pivotally connected at 67 to a bell crank 63 supported upon a pin 64 extending from a support'66 mounted on a forward wall of the gear housing 17, see also Fig. 4. The other arm 68 of the bell crank63 'is'hingedly connected by a pin 69 to a piston 71 of an actuating cylinder 72 which is hingedly hung from a bracket 73 extending from the forward wall 'of'the gear'housing 17-, see again Fig. 4.

The gear casing '17 affords a support for a deflector plate 74 which is secured to a hollow boss 76supp'orting the shaft 19 for one of the cutter arms. Anangle member 77 is secured to a flatside 78 of the boss 76 andhas a depending leg 75, see also-Fig. 4,'to whi'ch the'defiector plate 74 is secured. As seen also in Fig.3, one end "of 4 the deflector plate 74 is also secured to the forward side of the cylinder 32.

The movable sprocket 43 and the lower guide bar 27 are arranged to have moving therewith movable deflector plates so that when the guide bar 27 and the sprocket 43 are moved to the position seen in Fig. 3, they will move at the same time into position the vertical plate 48 which is movable with the guide bar 27, and a further movable deflector plate 79 which has a periphery 81 conforming to the are left by the action of the boring arms 21. The deflector plate 79 is pivoted to the lower guide bar 27 as at 80, and is further guided in its pivotal movement on a pin movable in a slot 85a formed in the fixed deflector plate 74, as will subsequently appear.

This lastrnentioned deflector plate 79 is also arranged to be braced by an arm 82 extending from the lower side of the gear casing 17, as seen in Fig. 3, said arm 82 having fastened thereto a shoe portion-'83 at the end thereof. The arm 82 and the shoe 83 thus prevent the deflector plate 79 from bending backward.

The movable sprocket '43 likewise is provided with a deflector plate 84 which overlaps the deflector plate 79 as seen in Fig. 4. This deflector plate 84 has an inturned flange 86 arranged 'to be held to a fiat surface '87 formed on one ofthe arms of the bell crank 56.

All of the aforementioned deflector plates 48, 79 and '84 are arranged to bemoved 'fr om'th'e position as seen in Fig. 3 to positions as seen in 'Fi'gs.6, 7 and Softhe drawings by a sequential set of operations under the control of the cylinders 32 and 72 connected in a hydraulic control circuit and 'a control valve connected therein as will now be described.

Referring now to Fig. 3 of the drawings, said hydraulic system is referred to generally by the reference numeral 9%, and includes a 'tank or reservoir '91 which supplies fluid to a pump 92. A control valve 93 is connected in circuit withthe pump 92am supplies fluidunder pressure 'to'the actuating cylinder '72 and the raising'and lowering cylinder 32. I

While the hydraulic circuit 9% is described in connection with the right hand sprocket 43 and the right hand actuating cylinder 72 and raising and lowering cylinder 32 as seen in Fig. 2, the saineh'ydraulic circuit may be connected in parallel to include the left hand sprocket'43 and the lefthand raising and lowering cylinder 32. Such a parallel connection is believed to be within the scope of one skilledin the art, and it is believed, thercfore,'that the 'de'scription'obtaining for the right hand elements will suffice for both. 7

In Fig. 3 there is shown the position of the sprocket'43, the lower guide bar 27,-and the deflector plates 48, 79 and 84 'in working position. The position of the parts shown in Fig. 3 corresponds to position I on'the diagram, control valve 93 at this time being in the neutral position.

in Fig. 6 there is shown a second position of the elements where the 'spro'cket 43 is moved to a retracted position through the medium-of the actuating cylinder 72, the lower gu'ide'bar '27 remai'ning in'the position shown in 'Fig. 3, and the deflector 4S and the deflector vane 79 also being inthe position shown in Fig. 3. The position of the parts shown in Figiocorlresponds to position II in the diagram, and control valve '93 is then being actuated in a direction corresponding to the up direction arrow seen at valv'e93'in'Fi'g. 3.

In Fig. 7 there is shown the position of the elements where the sprocket 43 is retracted by the cylinder 72 and the guide bar 27 is lifted out of working'position by the cylinder 3'2, the deflector plate 48 being raised with the cutter'bar 27 and the deflector plate 79 being tilted tothe position shown, 'wliereby'theentire'machine 10'rnay Theposition of the parts shown in -Fig. 7' corresponds to position III in the diagram, and when the parts have reached the position shown, control valve 93 is released to the neutral position.

in Fig. 8 there is shown the position of the elements preparatory to lowering both the guide bar 27 and the sprocket 43 into position of engagement with the floor over which the machine operates. In this position the actuating cylinder 72 has rocked the sprocket 43 to the position shown with respect to the guide bar 27, all of the parts being then ready for subsequent lowering into the position seen in Fig. 3. The position of the parts shown in Fig. 8 corresponds to position IV in the diagram, and control valve 93 has then been actuated in a direction corresponding to the down direction arrow seen at valve 93 in Fig. 3. Continued actuation of control valve 93 in this direction causes the parts to move to the working position seen in Fig. 3 when the valve 93 is released to the neutral position.

The actuating cylinder 72 and the raising and lowering cylinder 32 are arranged to be moved in a desired sequence by manipulation of the control valve 93 in one direction to provide the operational sequences as seen in Figs. 3 and 6, the operation of the control valve 93 in an opposite direction providing the sequence of operations as seen in Figs. 7 and 8.

As seen in Fig. 3, the control valve 93 consists of a valve body 94 having a cylindrical bore 96 therein. A spool valve member 97 is shiftable within the bore 96 and is normally biased to the neutral position shown by means of spring 98 having one end bearing against a ring 99 contacting a shoulder 191 formed on the spool 97, the other end of the spring 98 bearing against a washer 102 retained in position by an end cap 103. As seen in Fig. 3, the end of the spool valve member 97 has a land 104 and a portion 1% of reduced diameter, so that the valve plunger 97 is normally retained in the position shown by means of the ring 99 and the washer 102 within the end cap member 193.

The spooi valve member 97 has spaced lands 167, 108, 189 and 111 which alternate with portions of reduced diameter 112, 113 and 114. The valve body 94 has a pressure passageway 116 therein having a pressure conduit 117 connected thereto from the pump 92, the pressure fluid from the pump 92 being spilled from a port 118 to a port 119 past the reduced diameter portion 114 to a tank passageway 121 communicating with a tank line 122 to the tank 91.

A relief valve 115 is provided in the valve body 94 and relieves excess of pressure at the pressure passageway 116 to the tank passageway 121.

For purposes of description at this point the actuating cylinder 72 and the cylinder 32, the guide bar 27 and the sprocket 43 are considered to be maintained in the position shown in Fig. 3 by the trapping of fluid in said cylinders, each of the cylinders 72 and 32 being supplied with such trapped fluid by means of pressure lines 123 and 124 respectively. Each of the cylinders 72 and 32 are double acting, and are provided with pressure lines 126 and 127, respectively, which for purposes of simplicity or" description at this point will be considered as being connected to the tank or reservoir 91.

Consider now the conditions obtaining upon actuation of the spool valve member 97 in a direction to move the sprocket 43 to the position shown in Fig. 6. r In eflecting such movement to the position shown in Fig. 6, the spool valve member is pushed upwardly against the bias of the spring 98, the spool valve member movement being shown by the arrow labeled Position I to Position II to Position 11!. Under such conditions the land 1139 will lap the ports 118 and 119, flu d in the line 117 then moving past a check valve 128 and into a pressure passageway 129. In such position of the spool valve member 97, the land 198 will block flow of fluid into a line 131 but fluid will flow past the reduced diameter portion 112 into an intermittent pressure line 132, which has branching therefrom the supply line 126 to the actuating cylinder 72. Under such condition, the other line 123 to the cylinder 72 is connected to tank, fluid flowing into the line 131 and past a port 133, past the reduced diameter 113 of the spool valve member 97 and to the tank passageway 121. Likewise, the line 124 to the cylinder 32 will also be connected to tank past a check valve and past a pilot-operated check valve 170.

Said pilot-operated check valve 170 includes chambers 178, 179 and 181, said chambers being spaced by lands 182 and 183 respectively. The pilot-operated check valve 170 includes a valve land 184 having a stem 186 surrounded by a spring 187, one end of the spring being bottomed against the land 183 and the other end of the spring being bottomed against a land 188 formed at the end of the stem 186. The chamber 178 of the valve 177 communicates with the line 124 to the cylinder 32 and the land portion 188 of the valve is subjected to the pressure within the line 132.

The pressure within the line 132 upon actuation of the spool valve member upwardly as seen in Fig. 3 is effective against the stem 186 to urge the land 184 to unlap at the land 182 of the valve 170. The upper end of cylinder 32 thus communicates with tank 91 by line 124, through check valve 170 and thence to tank by line 131.

The pressure supplied to the actuating cylinder 72 will move the piston rod 71 thereof downwardly as seen in Fig. 6 to rock the bell crank 63 about the pivot 64, causing the link 61 to rock the bell crank 56 supporting the sprocket 43 to the position seen in Fig. 6.

The movement of the piston rod 71 within the cylinder 72 to the end of its effective stroke causes the pressure to build up therein and into the line 126 when the flow of fluid in the line 126 ceases. This buildup of pressure is so arranged as to cause a sequence valve 134 to come into action to spill pressure fluid past the sequence valve 134 into the lower end of the cylinder 32 to raise the piston 29.

The sequence valve 134 consists of a valve body 136 having a pressure port 137 connected by a line 138 to the line 126. The sequence valve 134 has a cylindrical bore 140 therein in which is movable a spool valve member having spaced land portions 1.3-9 and 141 which are separated by a portion of reduced diameter 142. The spool valve member 135 of the sequence valve 134 is normally urged to the position shown by means of a spring 143 adjusted in its load by an adjusting screw 144. A tank line 146 connects the valve bore to permitany fluid seeping past the land 141 to be diverted to tank by a line 146 connected to a line 147 in turn connected to the tank line 122.

The spool valve member 135 has a pilot extension 148 which is connected by a passageway 149 to the pressure port 137 so that the pilot extension 148 is subjected to the pressure therein. When the pressure at the port 137 is suificiently high to overcome the load in the spring 143, pressure fluid will be diverted past the reduced diameter portion and into a port 151 connected to the line 127 to raise the piston 32 and the guide bar 27 As has been previously described, fluid was trapped in the line 124 supplying the cylinder 32 after the guide bar 27 was moved downward to the position shown in Fig. 3. Such trapping of fluid is accomplished by valve 90 blocking all working ports when in the released position seen in Fig. 3.

Upon exhausting of the fluid in the cylinder 32 by way of the line 124, which is now connected to tank past the check valve 170, the parts take the position as seen in Fig. 7. The chain guide bar 27, in moving from the position seen in Fig. 6 to the position seen in Fig. 7, will rock the deflector plate 79 about the pivot 89, the raising movement of the bar 27 causing the boss 85 to slide in the guide slot 85a of the fixed deflector plate 74, thereby causing a conjoint raising and pivoting movement of the deflector plate 79. I I

Consider now the operations obtaining in the fluid circuit shown in Fig. 3 when it is desired to move the "sprocket '43 from the position as seen in Fig. 7 to the position "as seen in Fig. 8 "preparatory to moving both the sprocket 43 and the cutter chain guide 27 to the working position as seen in Fig. 3. To effect such sequence, the spool valve member 97 is moved downward in the directionshown by the arrows in Fig. 3 against the bias of the spring 98, thereby causing the land 111 to lap the port 118, blocking flow from the pump 92 to the tank passageway 121. The land 108 will unlap the port 129 to cause pressure fluid to flow from the port 129 past the reduced diameter portion 113 and into the line 131. Land 107 on the spool valve member 97 will cause communication betw'e'en the line 132 and the line 122 to tank.

Under the condition then obtaining of the valve 93 pressure fluid will be directed by the line 123 to the actuating cylinder 72 to cause same to lift the piston rod 71 and rock the bell crank 68 to the position seen in Fig. 8, the link 61 connected to the bell crank 63 and connected to the bell crank 56 rocking the bell crank 56 to the position seen in Fig. 8. In order to limit such rocking movement of the bell crank 56 in the direction stated the stop 55 on the bell crank 56 engages the end of the support bar 27 in the manner shown.

When the operative movement of the cylinder 72 is thus ceased, the pressure will build up in the line 123 causing the excess of fluid to be spilled into a line 172 connected to a sequence valve 175 similar in operation to the sequence valve 134. The operation of said sequence valve 175 is identical to the sequence valve 134. Suffice it to say, however, the sequence valve 175 bleeds such excess of'pressure past the valve 175 by means of a line 176 .into the pilot-operated check valve 170.

It will be remembered'that the spool valve member 97 has been actuated to a position whereby pressure is supplied from the pump 92 into the line 131, and that the line 132 is connected to tank past the reduced diameter 112 'of the spool valve member 97. The excess fluid in the line 172 and 176 is then at the same pressure as in the line 131, and the pressure against the land 188 is that corresponding to the tank line pressure 122. The pressure againstthe poppet 184 then moves same from its seat 182 against the force of the spring 187 to cause fluid under pressure from sequence valve 175 to be directed to the line 124 to move the piston 29 and the bar downward to the position once more as seen in Fig. 3.

The line 127 connected to the opposite end of the cylinder 32 would normally be blocked by the land 141 of the sequence valve 134 but for the provision of the check valve 189 connected in a line '191 branching from the line 127 and connected to the line 126.

When the parts have reached the position seen in Fig. 8, the valve member 97 is released and the pump 92 bypasses the pumped fluid through the valve 93 to the tank 91. i

In Fig. 3 all of the parts are in position for operation of the miner with the lower cutter chain guide 27 and the sprocket 43 .in position. In such position the center of the pin 67 is past the line of centers of the pins 62 and 64, so that any thrusts against the bell crank 56 are normally in a direction to urge the piston rod 71 into the cylinder 72, but since the cylinder has reached its limit of travel in a contracted direction, such forces will not tend to disrupt or change the position of the sprocket 43.

When the partsare as shown in Fig. 3, fluid is trapped within the cylinder 32 which now has its lower guide bar 27 in the extended position. Means are provided to bleed off fluid trapped within the cylinder head end of cylinder 32 when the lower guide bar 27 is subjected to impact in its operation over a rough mine floor. Such The relief valve includes a valve body 156 having a bore 157 and an adjacent counterbore 158 therein. A valve member 159 'is slidable in the bore 158 and has a pilot extension 161 slidable in a bore 162 which is contiguous to the counterbore 158. The valve has a passageway 163 therein and a tapered end surface 164 arranged to rest upon a seat 166, the valve member 159 being urged by a spring 167 against the seat 166. The valve member 159 has a throttling passageway 168 therethrough causing the bore 157 to communicate with the counterbore 158. The counterbore 158 and the passageway 168 communicate with a passageway 169 connected to the passageway 163 in the valve member 168, a spring biased check valve 171 being interposed between the passageway 169 and the passageway 163.

The fluid trapped in the line 124 and which would be subject to a rise to extreme pressure as might be occasioned by impact against the guide bar 27 thus has an opportunity to escape by means of the valve 155. Normally both sides of the valve member 159 are subject to the same pressure through the passageway 168, and the spring 167 urges the valve member to closed position. An increase in pressure behind valve member 157 in counterbore 158 and passageway 168 will force ball valve 171 from its seat thereby relieving the pressure behind valve member 159.

Such release of pressure will create a differential total pressure across valve member 159 to lift same from its seat at 164 and thus bleed the excessive pressure into line 147 and thence to tank.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that there has been provided a novel mechanism for controlling the operation of the lower cutter chain guide bar and the sprockets mounted thereon, so that the continuous miner may be readily trammed from one place to another within the mine. The provision of the movable deflectors insures that the cuttings removed by the boring arms will always fall into position so that the cuttings are diverted into the endless conveyor 44. Moreover, the deflectors, particularly the deflectors mounted to move with the sprocket, can be brought to a position whereby ready inspection is had of the cutter elements mounted upon the boring arms.

All of the operational sequences described with reference to Figs. 3, 6, 7 and 8 are achieved by manipulation of a simple control valve having two operational positions, the control valve being designed to have a null position so that the fluid may be appropriately trapped to prevent any unintended raising of the cutter bar and sprocket mounted thereon as could be caused by forces against each.

While the invention has been described in terms of an embodiment which it has assumed in practice, the scope thereof is not intended to be limited by the precise embodiment herein described, nor otherwise by the scope and purview of the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a continuous mining machine of the type having a pair of boring arms arranged to cut a pair of contiguous bores, a main frame, a cutter head including said boring arms mounted on said main frame, an endless conveyor supported by said main frame including a gathering end disposed below said boring arms for conveying cuttings away from 'a working face, means for cutting the cores formed between the contiguous bores formed by said boring arms comprising an endless cutter chain, a movable guide'mounted on said main frame for the lower run of said cutter chain, a movable sprocket mounted at each end of said guide, fluid pressure means for raising and lowering said guide, separate fluid pressure means for moving said sprocket relative to said guide, a deflector member movable with said sprocket and arranged to deflect cuttings into said endless conveyor, a fluid pressure circuit having both of said fluid pressure means connected therein, and a control valve connected in said circuit for operating the fluid pressure means in desired sequence, said control valve being actuated to a first position to supply fluid under pressure to said second named fluid pressure means to move said sprocket relative to said guide and by buildup of pressure at said second named fluid pressure means to divert pressure fluid to said first named fluid pressure means to raise said guide after the aforesaid movement of said sprocket, the movement of said guide carrying said deflector member with said guide to move same to a retracted position, said control valve being actuated to a second position to supply fluid under pressure to said second named fluid pressure means to move said sprocket with respect to said guide in an opposite direction and by buildup of pressure at said second named fluid pressure means to divert pressure fluid to said first named fluid pressure means to lower said guide in the order named, said deflector member being movable with said guide to its extended position.

2. In a continuous mining machine of the type having a pair of boring arms arranged to cut a pair of contiguous bores, a main frame, a cutter head includingsaid boring arms mounted on said main frame, an endless conveyor supported by said main frame including a gathering end disposed below said boring arms for conveying cuttings away from a Working face, means for cutting the cores formed between the contiguous bores formed by said boring arms comprising an endless cutter chain, a movable guide mounted on said main frame for the lower run of said cutter chain, a movable sprocket mounted at each end of said guide, fluid pressure means for raising and lowering said guide, separate fluid pressure means for moving said sprocket relative to said guide, a deflector member movable with said sprocket and arranged to deflect cuttings into said endless conveyor, a fluid pressure circuit having both of said fluid pressure means connected therein, and control means connected in said circuit for operating the aforesaid fluid pressure means in desired sequence whereby said sprocket is first moved by its fluid pressure means relative to said guide and whereby said guide is moved second, and a sequence valve connected in said fluid pressure circuit arranged to spill pressure fluid by buildup of pressure at said second named fluid pressure means to the first named fluid pressure means for said guide, said sequence valve being operable after said second fluid pressure means has moved said sprocket relative to said guide.

3. In a continuous mining machine of the type having a pair of boring arms arranged to cut a pair of contiguous bores, a main frame, a cutter head including said boring arms mounted on said main frame, an endless conveyor supported by said main frame including a gathering end disposed below said boring arms for conveying cuttings away from a working face, means for cutting the cores formed between the contiguous bores formed by said boring arms comprising an endless cutter chain, a movable guide mounted on said main frame for the lower run of said cutter chain, a movable sprocket mounted at each end of said guide, fluid pressure means for raising and lowering said guide, separate fluid pressure means for moving said sprocket relative to said guide to an extended position, a deflector member movable with said guide and arranged to deflect cuttings into said endless conveyor, a fluid pressure circuit having both of said fluid pressure means connected therein, and control means connected in said circuit for operating the fluid pressure means in desired sequence, and overcenter connecting means between said sprocket and said second named fluid pressure means for preventing movement of said sprocket with respect to said guide when said guide is in its lowered position and said sprocket is in its extended position.

4. In a continuous mining machine of the type having a pair of boring arms arranged to cut a pair of contiguous bores, a main frame, a cutter head including said boring arms mounted on said main frame, an endless conveyor supported by said main frame including a gathering end disposed below said boring arms for conveying cuttings away from a working face, means for cutting the cores formed between the contiguous bores formed by said boring arms comprising an endless cutter chain, a movable guide mounted on said main frame for the lower run of said cutter chain, a movable sprocket mounted at each end of said guide, fluid pressure means for raising and lowering said guide, separate fluid pressure means for moving said sprocket to extended and retracted positions relative to said guide, a deflector member carried by said guide arranged to deflect cuttings into said endless conveyor, a fluid pressure circuit having both of said fluid pressure means connected therein, and control means connected in said circuit for operating the fluid pressure means in desired sequence by the application of pressure fluid to the second named of said fluid pressure means to provide a buildup of pressure to be spilled to said first named fluid pressure means, and a valve connected in said circuit for trapping fluid in the first mentioned fluid pressure means to prevent the unintended raising of said guide whilst in the lowered position.

5. In a continuous mining machine of the type having a pair of boring arms arranged to cut a pair of contiguous bores, a main frame, a cutter head including said boring arms mounted on said main frame, an endless conveyor supported by said main frame including a gathering end disposed below said boring arms for conveying cuttings away from a working face, means for cutting the cores formed between the contiguous bores formed by said boring arms comprising an endless cutter chain, a movable guide mounted on said main frame for the lower run of said cutter chain, a movable sprocket mounted at each end of said guide, fluid pressure means for raising and lowering said guide, separate fluid pressure means for moving said sprocket to extended and retracted positions relative to said guide, a deflector member carried by said guide arranged to deflect cuttings into said endless conveyor, a fluid pressure circuit having both of said fluid pressure means connected therein, and control means connected in said circuit for operating both of the fluid pressure means in desired sequence, the deflector member carried by said sprocket being arranged to be swung to a retracted position upon raising of said guide.

6. In a continuous mining machine of the type having a pair of boring arms arranged to cut a pair of contiguous bores, a main frame, a cutter head including said boring arms mounted on said main frame, an endless conveyor supported by said main frame including a gathering end disposed below said boring arms for conveying cuttings away from a working face, means for cutting the cores formed between the contiguous bores formed by said boring arms comprising an endless cutter chain, a movable guide mounted on said main frame for the lower run of said cutter chain, a movable sprocket mounted at each end of said guide, fluid pressure means for raising and lowering said guide, separate fluid pressure means for moving said sprocket to extended and retracted posi tions relative to said guide, a deflector member carried by said guide, a second deflector member carried by each of said sprockets arranged to deflect cuttings into said endless conveyor, a fluid pressure circuit having both of said fluid pressure means connected therein, and control means connected in said circuit for operating both of the fluid pressure means in desired sequence.

7. In a continuous mining machine of the type having a pair of boring arms arranged to cut a pair of contiguous bores, a main frame, a cutter head including said boring arms mounted on said main frame, means for cutting the cores formed between the contiguous bores formed by said boring arms comprising an endless cutter chain, a movable guide mounted on said main frame for the lower run of said cutter chain, a movable sprocket mounted at each end of said guide, a fluid pressure operated cylinder for raising said guide, a second fluid pressure operated cylinder for moving said sprocket relative to said guide, a fluid pressure circuit having both of said fluid pressure means connected therein, control means connected in said circuit for operating both of the fluid pressure means in desired sequence, a sequence valve connected between one end of said first named cylinder and one end of said second named cylinder to cause said first cylinder to be actuated after said second cylinder, and a second sequence valve connected between the opposite end of said first cylinder and the opposite end of said second cylinder to cause said second cylinder to be actuated before said first cylinder in the reverse movement of each.

8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein means are provided for trapping fluid in said first cylinder to prevent the unintended raising thereof.

9. In a continuous mining machine of the type having a pair of boring arms arranged to cut a pair of contiguous bores, a main frame, a cutter head including said boring arms mounted on said main frame, means for cutting the cores formed between the contiguous bores 'formed by said boring arms comprising an endless cutter chain, a movable guide mounted on said main frame for the lower run of said cutter chain, a movable sprocket mounted at each end of said guide, fluid pressure means for raising said guide, separate fluid pressure means for moving said sprocket relative to said guide, a fluid pressure circuit having both of said fluid pressure means connected therein, control means connected in said circuit for operating the fluid pressure means in desired sequence, and at least one valve operable upon increase in pressure at said second named fluid pressure means connected in said pressure circuit for spilling pressure fluid from said second named fluid pressure means to said first fluid pressure means when said sprocket has ceased its movement relative to said guide.

10. In a continuous mining machine of the type having a pair of boring arms arranged to cut a pair of contiguous bores, a main frame, a cutter head including said boring arms mounted on said main frame, means for cutting the cores formed between the contiguous bores formed by said boring arms comprising an endless cutter chain, a movable guide mounted on said main frame for the lower run of said cutter chain, a movable sprocket mounted at each end of said guide, fluid pressure means for raising said guide, separate fluid pressure means for moving said sprocket relative to "said guide, a pressure circuit having both'of said fluid pressure means connected therein, control means connected in said circuit for operating the aforesaid fluid pressure means in desired sequence, and means for trapping fluid in the first mentioned fluid pressure means to prevent the unintended raising of said guide while in working-position, and valve means for releasing the trapped fluid upon impact against said guide.

11. In a continuous mining machine of the type having a pair of boring arms arranged to cut a pair of contiguous bores, a main frame, a cutter head including said boring arms mounted on said main frame, means for cutting the coresv formed between the contiguous bores formed by said boring arms. comprising an end less cutter chain, a movable guide mounted on said main frame for the lower run of said cutter chain, a movable sprocket mounted at .each end of said guide, fluid pressure means for raising said guide, separate fluid pressure means for moving said sprocket relative to said guide, a pressure circuit having both of said fluid pressure means connected therein, control means connected in said circuit for operating the aforesaid fluid pressure means in desired sequence, and a valve connected in said circuit for trapping pressure fluid in said first cylinder to prevent the unintended raising thereof, and valve means for releasing said trapped fluid upon impact against said guide.

12. In a continuous mining machine of the type hav ing a pair of boring arms arranged to cut a pair of contiguous bores, a main frame, a cutter head including said boringarms mounted on said main frame, means for cutting the cores formed between the contiguous bores formed by said boring arms comprising an endless cutter chain, a movable guide for the lower run of said cutter chain, a movable sprocket mounted at each end of said guide, fluid pressure means for moving said guide to extended and retracted positions, separate fluid pressure means for moving said sprocket relative to said guide to extended and retracted positions, a pressure circuit having both of said fluid pressure means connected therein, control means connected in said circuit for operating both of the fluid pressure means in desired sequence, and an overcenter connection between said sprocket and said second fluid pressure means for preventing collapsing movement of said sprocket with respect to said guide when both are in their extended positions.

13. In a continuous mining machine of the type having a pair of boring arms arranged to cut a pair of contiguous bores, a main frame, a cutter head including said boring arms mounted on said main frame, means for cutting the cores formed between the contiguous bores formed by said boring arms comprising an endless cutter chain, a movable guide for the lower run of said cutter chain, a movable sprocket mounted at each end of said guide, fluid pressure means for raising said guide, separate fluid pressure means for moving said sprocket relative to said guide, a pressure circuit having both of said fluid pressure means connected therein, and control means connected in said circuit for operating the fluid pressure means in desired sequence.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,705,625 Robbins a- Apr. 5, 1955 

